Chapter 11: October 14

I read the screenshot standing at Emmett's table with the cookies at my elbow.

It started with Lacey, on October 14, at 9:41 at night.

Lacey: Okay, don't freak out, but I have to tell you guys something about Hannah.

Lacey: She's moving in with Emmett from 3A in January.

Lacey: She asked me not to say anything.

I read it twice.

I read the date, then the name, then the date again.

Chad: Who is Emmett?

Lacey: The new guy across the landing. He's the sweetest.

Lacey: She's been quietly planning it for months, and she doesn't want a goodbye.

Zelda: Wow. Okay. She really didn't tell me.

Lacey: She wouldn't. You know how she gets.

Lacey: If we make a thing of it she'll shut down and it'll be worse for everyone.

Then Tobias.

Tobias: That doesn't sound like Hannah. Let me just ask her.

Lacey: PLEASE don't. She told me in confidence.

Lacey: If she finds out I told you she'll never forgive me.

Tobias: ok. I don't love it though.

Lacey: I know. I don't either.

Lacey: Just let her go quietly. It's what she wants.

It went on.

There was a message about the cookie box and one about my room.

There was one with a heart that said, Four of us is perfect anyway, we always were the real family.

I looked up.

Emmett was standing on the other side of the table with his hands open, waiting.

"October fourteenth," I said. "You moved in on the third of November."

"Yes."

"I didn't know your name until you knocked on my door and asked about the breaker box."

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